Telescope performance and image simulations of the balloon-borne coded-mask protoMIRAX experiment. Issue 5 (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Penacchioni, A.V.; Braga, J.; Castro Avila, M.A.; Amico, F. D
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 706:Issue 5(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/706/5/052001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: In this work we present the results of imaging simulations performed with the help of the GEANT4 package for the protoMIRAX hard X-ray balloon experiment. The instrumental background was simulated taking into account the various radiation components and their angular dependence, as well as a detailed mass model of the experiment. We modelled the meridian transits of the Crab Nebula and the Galactic Centre (GC) region during balloon flights in Brazil (∽ -23° of latitude and ∽ 40 km of altitude) and introduced the correspondent spectra as inputs to the imaging simulations. We present images of the Crab and of three sources in the GC region: IE 1740.7-2942, GRS 1758-258 and GX 1+4. The results show that the protoMIRAX experiment is capable of making spectral and timing observations of bright hard X-ray sources as well as important imaging demonstrations that will contribute to the design of the MIRAX satellite mission.